Once your friend accepted rent from them, he essentially accepted their tenancy.

After they assured me this would not impact my credit, I accepted the modification and began the 3-month process to get out of forbearance. 

I'm letting the fear of 'what if they accept' hold me back, and I feel like I need to solve the problem of housing BEFORE I buy. 

I also only accept cert check though so it's not a concern.  

If they say a particular change is acceptable, ask for it in writing.

(if you are even accepting any new clients at all, I know everyone is busy.)  

Dealing with the fallout is always worse.I have no idea about this situation as I wasn't there so not advising you to accept or not accept. 

Key things to look for:(1) Experience - however much you deem acceptable(2) References - contact the last 3 customers they did similar work for(3) Compliance - be sure they're following local rules in regards to permitting/inspections (4) Specialty - a lot of guys say they do it all.

Paper currency got its start as little promissory notes to pay gold, and then because the notes were more portable than gold, people started using the notes as money instead of the gold itself, which is why you sometimes see references to "one dollar notes", etc.A seller may or may not accept a promissory note as payment. 

It's a process that includes both the research of risk in a transaction, and finalizing the acceptance of that risk.